I agree, I have never seen a Rudy Meinl without engraving. Also, the ferrules on a Rudy Meinl are fancier, not just solid metal bands.
It's not to say that this is a bad tuba, just that it's not a Rudy Meinl... so don't pay a Rudy Meinl price for it.
Another sign it's not a Rudy Meinl -- the bell hasn't been repaired yet.
